Dunedin-based painter and printmaker Simon Kaan has blended his Maori and Chinese ancestry in meditative paintings and prints for about 15 years now.

His palette tends to be muted, mainly gentle greys, whites and browns, with brighter tones used sparingly. The predominant motifs are vessels that could be waka or Chinese junks, as well as water, trees, hills and birds.

Simon has been co-ordinating a group show in Dunedin for Ngai Tahu artists as well as working for an upcoming show in Napier at SPA_CE Gallery.

He invites us into his large, light filled and slightly chaotic studio in an old industrial complex on the city's waterfront.